Nissan 370Z 2012 News

In a stronger push for sales before the close of the 2013 books, Nissan has sliced the price tags of the 370Z range, and is offering driveaway pricing on the entry level six-speed manual Coupe until December 31. The price movement means the formerly $69,890 Coupe is $12,960 cheaper at $56,930 and can be driven away for $59,990 until the end of the year.  The seven-speed auto Coupe also drops $12,960 from $72,890 to $59,930. The Roadsters models each slice $10,960, with the manual dropping from $76,890 to $65,930 and the auto from $79,890 to $68,930. To date, Nissan has sold 290 370Zs for 2013, compared to 372 last year – with the sports hero Toyota 86 moving 5892 in that time.  "We certainly hope it will invigorate sales," Nissan Australia spokesman Chris Jordan says. "We're confident in the product and now we're confident the adjusted pricing will let more sports car fans consider the 370Z. It's about opening the car up to a larger slice of the market." The 370Z is powered by a 3.7-litre, double overhead cam V6 petrol engine developing 245kW of power and 363Nm of torque. Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, climate-control airconditioning,  satellite navigation and a 9.3GB hard disk with a Bose sound system. Nissan 370Z range 370Z Coupe (Manual): from $56,930 (-$12,960) $59,990 driveaway 370Z Coupe (Auto): from $59,930 (-$12,960) 370Z Roadster (Manual): from $65,930 (-$10,960) 370Z Roadster (Auto): from $68,930 (-$10,960) This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

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It is not aiming for first overall, but believes it can overtake Mazda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi to become the country's favourite all- import brand. Nissan is already doing better with everything from the supercar GT-R to the Maxima, 370Z and Murano, and believes the next-generation Tiida - which could revert to the Pulsar name when it lands in 2011 - will push it to the top. "Our market apsiration is to be the number one full importer in this company. That's the objective for 2012," says Dan Thompson, managing director of Nissan Australia. "Where we sit now is number two or number three. Mazda is now clearly the number one . . . in recent times Hyundai has joined the party so we have three players vying for that spot. We want to leapfrog Mazda by 2012, with two years of brand building and the next generation of cars." It sounds like a big call, and it will not be easy, but Thompson believes Nissan will have the vehicles to get the numbers for position one. "This business isn't rocket science. You have the right products ... and the rest ... and you have market success," he says. Thompson says the next piece of the product puzzle, following the front-wheel drive Dualis price fighter revealed last week, is the Z Roadster. "It's all falling into place. The results are being delivered just as we had planned," he says. "The goal is to be sitting at six per cent. We were at 5.9 last year." It won't dramatically change in fiscal 2010 until the core volume volume models - that's the new Micra and Tiida - arrive." Nissan has tagged its plan as GT2012, but it's not just about numbers. "G is for growth and T is for trust," Thompson says. "The GT-R is a fantastic story. It's not about volume, it's about branding. We sold 300 cars but we had 20,000 visitors to our site each week to check out the car. "Murano, Maxima, Z and GT-R have far exceeded our planning. The Dualis is the fifth piece." He says the biggest problem for Nissan in 2009 is getting sufficient stock of its biggest sellers, including the Navara. "We're restrained by limitations on stock. Even outside of that the big challenge for all of us is what is the natural level of demand."

Those familiar with the venerable 240Z from the 1970s will see some of its classic design cues in the 370Z.The newcomer boasts a sleek aerodynamic shape with a dramatic cantilevered roof — shared with the GT-R — and a road-hugging profile.The bigger-engined 370Z replaces the 360Z, which established itself as a favourite with enthusiasts.The 370Z’s sleek silhouette is defined by its upswept rear-quarter window design, echoed in the upward curve of the sheet metal around the rear wheels that gives the car a moulded look.Nissan designers have paid attention to the car’s detailing and functionality.The turn indicator has been integrated into the Z logo mounted between the front wheel and door, while both the front and rear light clusters curve into the bodywork. Quality is up and the cabin has a luxury-car feel.The new Z’s wheelbase is 100mm shorter than the previous generation Z (a more compact 2550mm instead of 2650mm).The car’s overall length has been shortened by 70mm too, from 4320mm to 4250mm.At the same time, the overall width has increased by 33mm and the rear track by 55mm, bringing a purposeful look.The use of lightweight materials, as well as a more compact approach to the exterior dimensions have reduced weight, which in turn helps performance and dynamics.Nissan engineers have also delivered a much stronger body, with extensive reinforcement to improve rigidity.Joining the 370Z will be the refreshed Maxima, new Murano V6 off-roader and heart-stopping GT-R performance coupe.Even with a price tag starting at $148,800, Nissan Australia has had no problems finding GT-R buyers.Nissan will also showcase its Micra, X-Trail, Navara and Dualis at the show. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...